Department of Education
Division of Social Sciences

Students selecting the Education Studies major will study the individual in community and the world of schooling. The major provides a comprehensive preparation for prospective elementary school teachers, and an interdisciplinary program for students who wish to examine education in the context of theory and practice in education but who do not wish to seek teacher certification.

The Education Studies major is designed to help students answer the question, “How do children develop into fully mature, autonomous and self-aware human beings who are capable of both intimate and public communal relationships?” These studies will facilitate an understanding of the development of children in our multifaceted society within the comprehensive liberal arts foundation of the Washington College experience. The Education Studies major provides the opportunity for enlarging our understanding of the development of school-aged youth. This is a particularly appropriate foundation for individuals wishing to become elementary school teachers.

The academic program includes sequenced study in educational foundations (the history, philosophy, and psychology of education), a developmental progression of study in pedagogical theory and practice, a demonstrated knowledge of content in selected liberal arts disciplines, and multi-disciplinary courses from the departments of anthropology, sociology, and psychology.

Field experiences and research are essential components of the major. The major study for the teacher candidate requires a 100-day internship in a Professional Development School; for the non-teacher candidate, the major study includes field experiences in schools or other educational and social agencies.

Washington College places singular emphasis on the completion of a significant independent project as the culminating activity in a major program. The teacher candidate will develop and present a professional portfolio which includes an action research project; the InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards will provide guidance and evaluative criteria. The non-certification major will develop and present an approved interdisciplinary thesis that includes field research.

• cumulative GPA of 3.0 (and GPA of 3.0 in the teaching field for secondary certification) Students with a GPA below 3.0 may be required to pass a nationally normed basic skills exam; 
• recommendation from a professor in the student’s major field of study (secondary only); 
• approval of the Education Department following a formal interview with the Chair and departmental colleagues. The following are some of the personal and professional attributes that are considered for approval: maturity, oral and written communication skills, professional attitude, flexibility, initiative, collaboration, and overall potential to be successful in a teaching internship. (Please note: An interview for the Elementary Education Program will only be granted to students who meet all entry requirements.) 

1. earn an academic degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (and a GPA of 3.0 in their major for secondary certification); 
2. complete the Washington College Teacher Certification Program; 
3. complete national content examinations with a passing score according to Maryland standards, 
4. complete a national teacher performance assessment with a passing score according to Maryland standards, 
5. complete an exit interview; and 
6. earn a grade of “B-” or better in EDU 405 Secondary Teaching Internship orEDU 413 Elementary Teaching Internship and EDU 414 Elementary Teaching Internship. 

Education Major with Teacher Certification Requirements

This sequence includes professional courses required for Maryland Approved Program Elementary Certification. Note that the Maryland State Department of Education requires a grade of “C” or better in all courses applied toward certification.

Complete the following General Education Distribution Requirements

Complete 2 Natural Science Courses with a laboratory.

**Students pursuing a minor in a Natural Science or Psychology should complete their natural science distribution requirement by taking one of the preferred two-course sequences below:

Complete 2 Quantitative Math Courses

 Complete 3 Social Sciences Courses

Complete 2 Humanities Courses

Complete 1 Course in Fine Arts (ART, DAN, MUS, THE)